Soon, very soon - I will have to begin to think about packing!
Sometimes life doesn't go according to plan. Sometimes you find yourself on a road you never imagined you'd travel. Sometimes it can scare the pants off you. This is the story of how our little family came to be, continues to grow and how we (attempt to) manage the chaos.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
13 days.....
We are going to meet our kids in just 13 days. I really can hardly believe it. I am filled with anticipation and a lot fear. My fear does not stem from the flight or the meeting or traveling, but from the fact that we are still so far from having the funds necessary to actually bring the kids HOME. We have applied to every grant organization out there. We have held fundraising events large and small. We have refinanced, taken loans, liquidated every asset we have available, picked up extra jobs, extra shifts, done away with non-necessities and still we have fallen short. It is through sheer generosity and the loving hearts of others that we will make it now.
So will you take the leap with us? Could you do without 1 dinner out, 1 less present under the Christmas tree, 1 less latte if it meant that two children could be saved? It would mean the world to us and to them.
By going through From HIV to Home (a 501(c)(3) not for profit) you can claim any donation as a tax write off and save two lives. The total expenses for this adoption are going to be upwards of $48,000. The money donated to their fund (and it needs to be designated for The Fenske Family at the time of the contribution) goes directly to B & H, so if for some reason we ended up not adopting them (NOT GOING TO HAPPEN), the money stays with them and helps another family bring them home. We don't see a cent of it unless it is for their adoption. Many people may ask why we are doing this when we don't have the finances up front. That is a very valid question. It's for the same reason that people finance their vehicles, boats, other "toys", vacations and have a mortgages on their homes. We simply don't have $48,000 to plunk down all at once to complete another adoption. If we waited until we did, then the children would have to wait, too. B & H don't have that luxury - they cannot afford to wait.
So will you take the leap with us? Could you do without 1 dinner out, 1 less present under the Christmas tree, 1 less latte if it meant that two children could be saved? It would mean the world to us and to them.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A Brave Little Soul Lost
Surgery is NEVER without risk - I know that, we ALL know that. Little bodies are fragile and you just never know how they are going react. Still, we go into each and every procedure hoping that all will go as planned. For sweet baby S, things did not. He suffered a hemorrhage and unable to be stabilized, he passed away in the arms of his family.
Not a day has gone by since Wednesday, February 3, 2010, that I have not relived Marissa's third hemorrhage. I know every single event of that day. I can close my eyes and see it playing out in slow motion, I can see what people were wearing, I can smell the smells, hear the sounds, everything. Call it a solid memory, PTSD, whatever you want, but I don't think it will ever go away. When a person walks that line or their child walks that line - the line between life and death - you don't get to forget. The thing is, we got our daughter back - we got to take her home. She has had 35 surgeries, THREE brain hemorrhages, yet she has survived and we get to go on with our lives as a family. For Baby S's family, they were robbed of their chance to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas together, to watch their son grow. They will bury their baby and that is just plain wrong. I know they will never get that day out of their minds and I know there is absolutely nothing anyone can do or say right now to ease their pain.
I have survivor's guilt. I have no words to provide to them. How do you wrap up what you want to say to someone in a sympathy card? How can you say anything to someone who has just lost the most precious thing on Earth? How do we just forge ahead knowing that they have been left behind?
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Lifesong's Incredible Holiday Project!
Make a Difference in ONE Life!
What is your holy discontent? What is your God-given passion on this earth? You know, that one thing that MOVES you to action, that brings you to tears, and causes you to lose sleep? We have a passion, a yearning to see justice for the fatherless!
"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." - Isaiah 1:17
2011 Gifts of Purpose from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.
It's that time of year again. Holiday music rings through your speaker systems. Decorations light up your street corners. Families gather together.It's the season of love, joy and family.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ during this season of giving, we often forget to give to those who NEED it most! This year give differently. Give FAMILY to the 147 million orphans worldwide who dream of belonging. Give HOPE to children living on the streets whose only Christmas wish is survival.
What if, this year, your family gave a gift to those who need it most? A gift that won't fit under the tree?
Would you consider making a difference in ONE LIFE...
- Help a child break free from gripping poverty.
- Give the love of Jesus through Christian mentors.
- Give a future to an orphan's caregiver.
This year join Lifesong for Orphans in giving a gift with purpose. A gift that will speak Jesus to a child. Introducing Lifesong's 2011 Gifts of Purpose Catalog.
NOW, for even more exciting news....
In Ethiopia, children need an education to break free from gripping poverty. Public schools are lacking, so kids are left behind without the HOPE of an education or future. Our current Lifesong school is not only giving by teaching these children about Jesus, but also feeding 350 hungry children 2 meals each day. We currently have a need to build a 12-room expansion to our existing school... please join us to make a difference in a child's life.
As of last night, we have a generous donor that has stepped up to MATCH all donations to the Ziway and Adami Tulu Schools in Ethiopia between now and December 31st... up to $130,000!!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited? What a GENEROUS way to make the most of your giving and bless the children and families in these communities! Let me tell you first hand, these schools NEED to be expanded... these children NEED an education... they NEED to be fed each day... they NEED to hear about Jesus! Lets give HOPE to these precious children in Ethiopia!
Would you join us in prayer as we seek to make the need known?
MAKE A MATCHED DONATION NOW!
***You can use the link above to make a matched donation OR select any of the Hope Ethiopia options below.
Also, don't forget that you can give a gift in honor of a loved one this holiday season!***You can use the link above to make a matched donation OR select any of the Hope Ethiopia options below.
Gift of $30 cares for 2 children for 1 month.
Gift of $525 cares for 35 children for 1 month.
Gift of $1,500 furnishes one classroom.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
PODCAST
Tomorrow, the lovely and talented Suzanne is hosting a podcast along with two other very lovely waiting Kyrgyz mamas. If you're able, please tune in for updates on the delays and more importantly, to learn how YOU can help. Visit: Mother The World for details.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Scentsy for Kamila
Please go to Linda's site and check out the amazing Scentsy products. The photo here is my scentsy warmer, a gift from Linda, and it lights up my kitchen every single day. The Holidays are fast approaching - you could not only help Kamila find her way home, but brighten someones day with a beautiful gift from Scentsy.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
COURT DATE!
We have a court date! We REALLY, REALLY do! I'm shocked, amazed, a little freaked out and so indescribably happy! We will be in Ethiopia Dec 5-9th - we're going to MEET OUR KIDS in like 30 days!!
Now the real race begins. I wish I had something incredible to give a way. I wish I had some great contest to host, but I just don't. We have a long ways to go to raise the ransom to spring our kids and a very, very short time to raise it. Please link us, like us, pass our family's story along. We have lots of ways people can support our adoption. Our kids really want to come home!!
Now the real race begins. I wish I had something incredible to give a way. I wish I had some great contest to host, but I just don't. We have a long ways to go to raise the ransom to spring our kids and a very, very short time to raise it. Please link us, like us, pass our family's story along. We have lots of ways people can support our adoption. Our kids really want to come home!!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Happy Adoption Day Noodle!
Two years ago our lives were forever changed with the 'surprise' blessing of a very tiny and very spunky baby girl! Marissa has truly transformed our family, our lives and our souls. She has changed our view of the world, our values and made us, I think, better people. Not a moment goes by that I am not grateful for every second I'm allowed to be her mom!
| This photo slideshow customized with Smilebox |
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
I'm Begging for a Pie in the Face!
The Wright Family over at Act of Kindness are once again hosting the Pie Challenge for the orphans of Kyrgyzstan. Please take some time, first, to watch last year's pie video below for a little preview of what it is all about.
Forty people have pledged to take a pie in the face this year, yours truly included, which translates into Christmas and a year's worth of vitamins for 2000 Kyrgyz orphans! Kamila has benefited in the past and once gain, this year, she will spend her FOURTH Christmas in an orphanage, away from her family. Folks, orphans don't get a day off; they don't get to 'forget', they don't get to turn off their loneliness; but for one day, the Wrights will bring them Christmas joy - they will be part of a family. Better yet, for an entire year, they will receive life saving vitamins!
Please consider going over to the Wright's blog and making a donation in my name so that I can reach my goal of $500 and earn a pie. I would be so grateful, but don't just do it for me. Do it for Kamila, do it for the 2000 orphans left without families who will benefit, and do it for Esen because what 5-year-old doesn't dream of throwing a pie in their mommy's face?!
Forty people have pledged to take a pie in the face this year, yours truly included, which translates into Christmas and a year's worth of vitamins for 2000 Kyrgyz orphans! Kamila has benefited in the past and once gain, this year, she will spend her FOURTH Christmas in an orphanage, away from her family. Folks, orphans don't get a day off; they don't get to 'forget', they don't get to turn off their loneliness; but for one day, the Wrights will bring them Christmas joy - they will be part of a family. Better yet, for an entire year, they will receive life saving vitamins!
Please consider going over to the Wright's blog and making a donation in my name so that I can reach my goal of $500 and earn a pie. I would be so grateful, but don't just do it for me. Do it for Kamila, do it for the 2000 orphans left without families who will benefit, and do it for Esen because what 5-year-old doesn't dream of throwing a pie in their mommy's face?!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Gifts for the Kids (and us)
We finally got the green light to send a care package to B & H. A wonderful, sweet family who travelled this past week for court took it along and sent us this email about their experience in delivering it:Hi Shannon,
Yesterday we had a chance to meet H and B, they are both so adorable!
They were in school when we arrived, so we waited about an hour for
them to get home and they were really ready to have fun when they got
back. We found it so sweet how all the kids shared together without
any direction--older ones helping the younger ones open candy and
sharing toys. All the kids really seem like a big family. We didn't
know much about (the orphanage) before visiting, so the small number of
children there seems to give them all lots of attention from the
nannies.
When H first came in from school she ran in with her friend S.
jabbering away and greeted us. They both had to go change clothing
and came back dressed in pink. H seems so happy, she loved
looking at your photos and naming who you all were (enat, etc). As
she cuddled her baby doll she sang this sweet little song to it--very
precious. She was very patient and looked through her whole gift with
such excitement!B was basically a bundle of energy--he ran into the room and
started kicking the balls around. Our driver helped call him over and
his eyes lit up when he saw the truck. He was off playing with it
quickly--racing it across the floor and laughing. He would sit still
for short bursts of time to view the other things, but really the
truck was just so exciting for him. He did come over by H and
look at the family book together and they chattered away in Amharic
for a bit.
Then of course he rejoined the boys playing ball and zooming his truck!
Both very sweet kids, it was great to meet them!
I can't tell you what it means to us to know that they have a piece of our family with them, that they know they have a family waiting for them. We are entering the second week since their court case was opened and could hear any day now when our court date will be. I'm on pins and needles - can't wait to meet them! Of course, I'm also extremely stressed about how in the world were going to raise the rest of the funds to actually be able to get down there, but I know it just has to work out.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Becoming a Boy
Something happened over the summer – my toddler became a boy. It happened really fast – like super-fast – like make my head spin, eyes water, wonder what year it is fast. Six months ago I had a toddler and today I have a little boy, with grown up thoughts and attitudes; a boy who goes off down the street to his friends’ house with a watch on so he returns home on time (and he always does); a boy who is showing amazing responsibility and comprehension; a boy who asks really grown up questions and expects honest answers; a boy who shows more compassion and understanding than many adults I’ve come across. This boy can now ride a two wheeler, hit a baseball better than any of the older neighborhood kids and read and write better than any of the kids in his Kindergarten class. Kevin has said several times that (Seinfeld fans will appreciate this) it was “The Summer of Esen.” I am so proud of him and yet find myself wishing I could go back a little bit, slow things down because I know time is going to continue to race by. He is so grown up in so many ways, yet still very much my baby. I worry about him, as I guess I should – I am his mama after all. I see him playing with his friends and he is so much smaller. I see him struggle with his sensory issues and worry for the day when he begins to realize that he is different. I know that all I can do is let him be who he is meant to be and let him grow, learn, make mistakes, guide him to the best of my ability and hope that it is enough.
Enjoy the cuteness that is my little man!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Port Drama - A New Series on Prime Time
Okay, it probably wouldn’t net many viewers, but I for one sure would like to know how it’s going to play out. Remember back HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and I could probably go on and on. We opted not to leave Marissa port-less at the request of pretty much everyone employed by the hospital. The venous access team has been unsuccessful in their attempts and only one of the pediatric anesthesiologists has been successful in obtaining peripheral access and that was under general anesthesia after four attempts. That IV lasted less than a day. If there were an emergency or if Marissa just needed labs drawn (which she does fairly frequently), we would be completely out of luck. When her Hickman infiltrated back in May, the decision was made to give her a port-a-cath. Because she has no alternative suitable sites, her surgeon decided to try and place the port catheter over a wire into the vessel that was occupied by her Hickman. He was successful and we were beyond thrilled; especially when he marched in and proudly stated “she’ll have it for at least 3 years!” After 18 months of managing a line that needed daily flushing and every three day dressing changes, she now had a completely hidden port that we didn’t have to do anything with. We (and she) really enjoyed the remainder of the summer. Baths! Swimming! No more Line tugging!
Until….we went for the first flush. The port didn’t work. I didn’t freak out at first, but had a sneaking suspicion there wouldn’t be an easy solution. We TPA’d the line and were able to get blood return and even draw some labs. We went home and returned a month later. The port didn’t work – AT ALL! Marissa had surgery the following the week and they used her port for anesthesia – it infused okay although it still wouldn’t draw. We went home, again. We returned a month later. Do you see a trend here? The port didn’t work. This time, I came prepared, bag packed to spend the day – ready to stand my ground and demand answers and wasn’t leaving without some. I didn’t have to try real hard. When they tried to infuse – it wouldn’t even do that. In fact, she screamed and the skin around the port began to blow up like a little balloon. I figured it was either disconnected or infiltrated once again although I couldn’t figure out how either could possibly happen on a brand new port. She had a chest x-ray – looked great, a line study – which showed the vessel was obviously occluded. Under normal circumstances, the port would be removed and a new port implanted. Of course, where Marissa is concerned, there is never a normal circumstance! It was decided to perform an MRV and first of all assess the actual condition of the vessel the current port catheter resides in as well as whether there were any other vessels that could possibly accommodate a new port. Then, depending on what the MRV showed, either an angioplasty to try and save her port or surgery to implant a new one.
The MRV was performed last week and we quickly learned that the thrombus in her vessel was not something treatable by angioplasty – the current port is unsalvageable. As for new sites, the radiologists have weighed in, but the jury is still out. Or rather, the general surgeons are still out….at a conference that is. Stay tuned.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Where I've Been
I promise to start updating more frequently (and with more pictures) very soon. I suppose my first update should be this one, which is likely to be nothing more than a big 'ol pot full of excuses about why I've been too "busy" (everyone knows I HATE that word) to blog. Basically it all boils down to the new job I took I couple of months ago. Why the new job? Why more hours? Why a longer drive? To answer, I have to back up a bit. I've been with the same health care organization for just about five years and I've said it here before - I LOVE them! I love the organization, I love the people I work with, the location of the particular clinic I work at is perfect and the benefits are awesome. Last year I made the decision to give up my full-time position for a fill-in position and thus, gave up a phenomenal benefit package. It was necessary at the time because of the extent and type of care that Marissa required. The organization supported me completely and I have continued to work for them on an as needed basis, filling in and essentially setting my own hours. We were lucky enough to be able to get a fairly decent health plan for Kevin, Esen and I paying out-of-pocket premiums, but they would not cover Marissa. I take that back, they offered us a plan with a $10,000 annual deductible and no prescription drug coverage for her, which I politely declined. Marissa is covered by Medical Assistance because her adoption was classified as a special needs adoption and because she is considered by the State as permanently disabled. We are grateful for the MA, but it is much nicer to have her on group insurance coverage primary with the MA secondary.
With the new children coming and even more medical issues to address; Marissa older, stronger, and more stable; I decided to return to work in a more permanent capacity. I considered staying with my current employer and explored the possibility of a part-time position. Unfortunately, staying with them would not afford us the luxury of choice when it came to health insurance coverage. See, it is critical to me that each of our kids are covered at AFCH - aka our second home. Marissa receives all of her care at AFCH and sees all UW doctors. Esen has a UW pediatrician and sees some UW specialists. Going with another health insurance plan would mean giving that up and I decided that there was no way I could do it.
So, many months ago I began searching for the perfect job. I wanted 20 hour weeks with inexpensive, full-coverage insurance that would allow the kids to stay at the UW. I knew changing employers meant taking a pay cut, likely increasing my commute and starting over, but for the right insurance plan, I was willing. Well, I found it and was so lucky to find it within one of the top health care organizations in the area. The job itself is something totally different from what I've done before, challenging, and really enjoyable. The people I work with are great and other than the commute, there is nothing I don't love about it. I also kept my fill-in position, so I really have the best of both worlds!
That brings us to now (and here come the excuses) - the last month, I have been training - full time. I'm also keeping my part-time hours up at my other job. I'm trying to manage the house, the kids' schedules, Marissa's therapy and doctor appointments, working on three adoptions from two different countries, and desperately trying to fundraise. Then, there was the stomach flu of the last week - I'll spare you any further details on that. I also sit on the Patient Family Advisory Council for AFCH and I'm participating in several upcoming events - The Patient and Family Centered Care Conference - where I'm sitting on a panel of 4 parents talking to over 400 participants (yes, me who can't stomach public speaking) and also this Wednesday's Child Health Advocacy Day at the Capitol. I have an annual post placement report to write, AVON books to assemble and get out, and of course tons of stuff to do around the house.
Most days I feel like I don't know whether I'm coming or going. I feel like I'm not being a great mom, wife, employee, volunteer, or anything else. I kind of feel like I'm just getting by. My 'to do' list is a million miles long and there is so much that needs to be done around the house before the kids come home. I know it's going to get better. November will bring a somewhat calmer schedule and I know it doesn't really matter if Kevin and the kids have to eat Mac n Cheese a few more times or if the papers lay on the counter another couple of days. Knowing it doesn't make it any easier to tolerate, though.
So, there you have it. That's where I've been - nowhere really. Just working and living and getting by. I promise to update and each of the kiddos soon.
With the new children coming and even more medical issues to address; Marissa older, stronger, and more stable; I decided to return to work in a more permanent capacity. I considered staying with my current employer and explored the possibility of a part-time position. Unfortunately, staying with them would not afford us the luxury of choice when it came to health insurance coverage. See, it is critical to me that each of our kids are covered at AFCH - aka our second home. Marissa receives all of her care at AFCH and sees all UW doctors. Esen has a UW pediatrician and sees some UW specialists. Going with another health insurance plan would mean giving that up and I decided that there was no way I could do it.
So, many months ago I began searching for the perfect job. I wanted 20 hour weeks with inexpensive, full-coverage insurance that would allow the kids to stay at the UW. I knew changing employers meant taking a pay cut, likely increasing my commute and starting over, but for the right insurance plan, I was willing. Well, I found it and was so lucky to find it within one of the top health care organizations in the area. The job itself is something totally different from what I've done before, challenging, and really enjoyable. The people I work with are great and other than the commute, there is nothing I don't love about it. I also kept my fill-in position, so I really have the best of both worlds!
That brings us to now (and here come the excuses) - the last month, I have been training - full time. I'm also keeping my part-time hours up at my other job. I'm trying to manage the house, the kids' schedules, Marissa's therapy and doctor appointments, working on three adoptions from two different countries, and desperately trying to fundraise. Then, there was the stomach flu of the last week - I'll spare you any further details on that. I also sit on the Patient Family Advisory Council for AFCH and I'm participating in several upcoming events - The Patient and Family Centered Care Conference - where I'm sitting on a panel of 4 parents talking to over 400 participants (yes, me who can't stomach public speaking) and also this Wednesday's Child Health Advocacy Day at the Capitol. I have an annual post placement report to write, AVON books to assemble and get out, and of course tons of stuff to do around the house.
Most days I feel like I don't know whether I'm coming or going. I feel like I'm not being a great mom, wife, employee, volunteer, or anything else. I kind of feel like I'm just getting by. My 'to do' list is a million miles long and there is so much that needs to be done around the house before the kids come home. I know it's going to get better. November will bring a somewhat calmer schedule and I know it doesn't really matter if Kevin and the kids have to eat Mac n Cheese a few more times or if the papers lay on the counter another couple of days. Knowing it doesn't make it any easier to tolerate, though.
So, there you have it. That's where I've been - nowhere really. Just working and living and getting by. I promise to update and each of the kiddos soon.
Monday, October 17, 2011
We Opened Court!!
FINALLY - the kids' case has been opened in the Ethiopian court. It should've happened months ago and we should've already been docketed, but, in true Fenske form, we've hit every snafoo possible. So, two days after H's birthday, the case has been opened. We're still very guardedly hopeful for a court date before the end of the year and we could hear as soon as the next couple of weeks. YAY for progress!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Want to Win a $500 Gift Card?
UPDATE: WOW - A TON OF AMAZING NEW STUFF HAS BEEN ADDED TO THIS GIVEAWAY. HEAD OVER TO ADEYE'S BLOG TO CHECK IT OUT AND PLEASE DONATE AND ENTER!!Wednesday, September 28, 2011
From the Heart
I've been quiet. It's not my nature, I know this. My heart has been heavy. My head has been FULL! The weight on my shoulders almost unbearable. I owe you an update, though, and I'm going to focus on our pending adoptions for now. For some of you this is redundant, because I have also send this via email. Sorry for that, my energy has been zapped. More soon, I promise!
The purpose of this update is two fold. A lot has happened recently with regard to our pending adoptions so I thought a detailed update might be in order.
The purpose of this update is two fold. A lot has happened recently with regard to our pending adoptions so I thought a detailed update might be in order.
Purpose One - Adoption Updates!!
KYRGYZSTAN: As you know, we began the process to adopt again from Kyrgyzstan in January 2008. We received Kamila's referral July 12, 2008. For 3 years, 2 months, 17 days, we have waited, fought and prayed for her to come home! We have never given up on her. It has been a painful journey, but one we have had to take. I'm sure you would agree that no matter what happened to your children, you would never turn your backs on them. It is no different for us. The good news - finally - is that Kyrgyzstan has signed the necessary amendments to the Family Code and Parliament has passed all of the regulations into law which will allow adoptions to proceed. The bad news is that we will be required to start the process completely from scratch. Only 3 of the current 5 agencies will be allowed accreditation in Kyrgyzstan. Families who end up with the two non-accredited agencies will likely have to be "picked up" by the accredited ones. Families will have to re-do their dossiers and be "re-matched" with their children. This is a risky process, but one we have been told should go smoothly. Families will also be required to make TWO trips to Kyrgyzstan to complete their adoptions. What this boils down to, unfortunately, is not only yet a longer process, but a much more expensive one. We will need to raise at minimum $15,000 to complete her adoption. This is merely an estimate and as is the case with any adoption, but especially this one, things could change at any minute. We are very hopeful (cautiously) that she will arrive home in very early 2012!
ETHIOPIA: In March of this year, we committed to the adoption of two beautiful toddlers with minor medical needs from Ethiopia. They are unrelated siblings living in an orphanage in Addis Ababa. We have worked so hard to save and raise funds for their adoptions and we have been incredibly successful. Throughout this process, we have been blessed by a grant, by the generosity of many during a fundraising event we held in June, by the selfless generosity of friends and strangers, and by the ability to pick up extra shifts at work. We committed to these children knowing that it would not be an easy road, but that it would be worth it! In just a couple of weeks, we will be notified of our court hearing date. We hope that it will be in December. We will travel to Ethiopia for the court hearing and spend a few days with our new children. B, the boy, repeatedly asks the orphanage workers why people keep coming to take the babies home and why no one wants him. It breaks my heart to hear this and breaks my heart that he doesn't yet know he has a family waiting for him; a family that loves him already. No child should have to live even one day feeling unloved or unwanted, much less years of their lives. Both B and H are in desperate need of medical resources that simply cannot be offered in Ethiopia. They need to get home!! After the court hearing, we will return home and wait to be invited back to Ethiopia for Embassy clearance at which time, the children will be free to leave Ethiopia and begin their new lives here with us! Currently, we still need to raise approximately $22,000 to complete their adoptions and time is quickly running out!!
Purpose Two - On My Knees, I Humbly Ask for Your Help!!
For those of you who have stuck with me this long, thank you for continuing to read on. You are under absolutely no obligation to make any sort of donation or anything. I am reaching out as a loved one, a friend, a fellow human being who needs help. Our children need help. Some of you have already reached out to us and offered support and for that we are more grateful than you will ever know. Perhaps you know someone who might be interested in one of our fundraisers. Perhaps you or someone you know might be interested in hosting a bake sale at Church or has a youth group that needs a holiday project. Every single dollar that we can raise is an absolute miracle to us. We have so far to go and so little time to get there. Our children cannot wait.
It's not easy, especially in today's society where we are expected to be strong and self-sufficient, to admit that we need help. It's not easy or even acceptable to ask for help. I certainly never thought there'd be a time when I would be pushed to do it. But, here we are, in a position where we do need help. I have found something that is worth setting aside pride for - actually, not something, rather five little someones. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my children. So, I come to you, my heart open, my soul bared, asking for support whether it be in the form of a financial contribution, prayer, or simply forwarding this message or links to our fundraisers.
I get that the economy is terrible. I get that everyone is struggling in their own way. I get that no one really has "spare change" lying around. But, I also know that none of us is suffering as much as any child who is stuck in an orphanage. We have several ways that people can help if they feel compelled. All I ask is that you consider passing our info along to friends, family, church members, coworkers, anyone who you think might listen. Please encourage people to visit our blog, friend me on Facebook, email me, snail mail me, whatever. I would love the opportunity to educate and advocate if anyone wanted to learn more about adoption or specifically adoption of children with special needs. The Holidays are rapidly approaching and we want nothing more than the gift of our family to be whole!
Ways to Help:
Visit our blog: www.chaoticandcomfortable. blogspot.com
Tax-deductible, secure donations to: www.fromhivtohome.com click on the Network for Good icon and designate the donation for The Fenske Family OR mail to From HIV to Home, PO Box 19212, Denver CO, 80219. A tax receipt will be sent to you by mail.
Handmade Tutus: Any size, any color shipped direct to you - only $20 each! Perfect GIFTS!
AVON: http://www.youravon.com/ sfenske GREAT GIFTS!
Fundraising Events: You can set up your own fundraising event at your church, school or youth group - let me know and I will be happy to help!!!!
*Pass this along to friends, family, coworkers, post links to your Blog and Facebook pages*
Thank you so much and God Bless!!
The Fenskes
Sunday, September 18, 2011
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